Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi riyal (SAR).
Monthly Living Costs in Saudi Arabia
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €1,340 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €1,650 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Saudi Arabia Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 49.9 |
| Rent index | 13.5 |
| Groceries index | 41.2 |
| Restaurant price index | 34.5 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 132.8 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 49.2 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 4.3 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Saudi Arabia from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Finance | €58,000 |
| Engineering | €52,000 |
| IT & Software | €42,000 |
| Education | €38,000 |
| Healthcare | €35,000 |
| Construction | €35,000 |
| Hospitality | €28,000 |
| Retail | €22,000 |
Taxes in Saudi Arabia
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 0% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €6,667 |
| VAT / sales tax | 15% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 0% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €6,667 per month. After rent and essentials (€1,340), roughly €5,327 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Saudi Arabia Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | €850 | €250 | €60 | 49.9 |
| Iraq | €280 | €95 | €25 | 36.5 |
| Jordan | €420 | €180 | €35 | 44.9 |
| Kuwait | €550 | €180 | €55 | 59.5 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Saudi Arabia:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 11 residence and visa routes for Saudi Arabia — see the full Saudi Arabia visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €3,000 per month — Temporary Work Visa (work route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €1,340 per month to sustain a move to Saudi Arabia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saudi Arabia expensive?
Saudi Arabia has a cost-of-living index of 49.9 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €850 per month and a single person spends about €1,340 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Saudi Arabia?
About €1,340 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €1,650 per month.
What is the average rent in Saudi Arabia?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €850 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €1,800 per month in Saudi Arabia. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Saudi Arabia?
Typical gross annual salaries in Saudi Arabia range from €22,000 (Retail) to €58,000 (Finance), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Saudi Arabia?
Among the 11 Saudi Arabia residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €3,000 per month (Temporary Work Visa). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Saudi Arabia country profile and the Saudi Arabia emigration guide.
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